Director of Education and Workforce Development

Director of Education & Workforce Development

Reports to:                    President, Rhode Island Chapter

Primary Functions:        The Director of Education & Workforce Development will be responsible for managing, delivering, and administering all training and workforce development functions for the Rhode Island Construction Training Academy.  The role will include all aspects of construction trades apprenticeship, craft training, and safety training management, including hiring instructors, supervision of instruction delivery, evaluation, and database management.  This unique opportunity encourages the individual to build and develop apprenticeship and craft training to grow the construction industry. 

Areas of Responsibility:

A.              The Director of Education & Workforce Development's responsibilities include but are not limited to, the following: Oversee the efficient and effective operation of a Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship education program, utilizing the “Contren Learning Series” curriculum developed by the National Center of Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and the Mike Holt Enterprise curriculum for the electric program.

1.     Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

2.     Develop and implement a recruitment application program, including placement of advertising and company site visits to secure qualified individuals, without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, or religion, to participate in the program.

3.     Recruit knowledgeable instructors in the various trades to conduct the education program and create a pool of substitute instructors.

4.     Conduct regular class evaluations.

5.     Maintain all records, as required by the U.S. Department of Labor, State Apprenticeship Council, and U.S. Veterans Administration.

6.     Organize requests for materials and trade school supplies in the classroom for all trades.

7.     Order all books for the classes and the instructors.

8.     Update as needed handbooks, brochures, schedules, and any handouts required.

9.     Accounting items for the organization, including paying bills, sending invoices, balancing checkbooks and savings accounts, and forwarding information to the accountant to prepare the 990s. Yearly renewal of Insurance policies, non-profit reports, and the like.

10.  Manage the RICTA website and social media.

11.  Assist in the development and monitoring of the annual education budgets.

12.  Seek opportunities to work with other construction associations to encourage them to participate in the chapter’s apprenticeship education program.

13.  Establish relationships with other apprenticeship education providers and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Training to increase knowledge and awareness of construction education programs, regulations, and procedures.

B.              Work with area school districts.

1.     Conduct visits with individual school district counselors to discuss construction career opportunities.

2.     Secure opportunities to meet with high school counselors about the construction industry and the skill requirements, salary levels, and advancement opportunities.

3.     Participate in area high school career days.

4.     Seek volunteers to serve as high school students' guest speakers and tour guides.

C.             Stay current on construction educational opportunities and member needs by providing construction industry-related education courses for members

1.     Offer Project Management/Supervisory training programs, including the development of a marketing plan to secure participants, secure qualified instructors, and develop a budget for these programs

2.     Offer affordable construction-related and/or other education programs needed by the membership, such as, but not limited to, OSHA 10-Hour Classes and 15-Hour Code Classes.

3.     Seek input from other ABC Education Directors and volunteers on how to provide construction education programs more effectively and on additional construction education opportunities.

D.             General office operations.

1.     Microsoft Office, Excel, Access, & ABC Database require good computer skills.

2.     Coordinate activities and schedules with other chapter staff to avoid conflicts.

3.     Seek additional volunteer participation in all chapter education programs and on chapter education committees.

4.     Properly staff the Education Board of Directors and all other chapter education-related committees and task forces, which includes preparation of meeting notices, meeting arrangements, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, completion of all assignments/tasks, and providing the necessary staff support.

5.     Develop a communications plan to inform chapter volunteers and staff of the various education programs.

6.     Promote the training classes to ABC members and other organizations.

7.     Attend the ABC-National Education Conference each year to become more knowledgeable about construction education programs and to develop close working relationships with chapter counterparts.

8.     Maintain a professional and working relationship with staff, co-workers, volunteers, other chapter Directors of Education, and others involved in construction education programs.

9.     Seek opportunities to expand knowledge and professional expertise in association management.

10.  Perform other duties as assigned by the Chapter President and volunteer leadership, completing tasks promptly and professionally.

Required Qualifications:

-        Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in workforce development and/or education and familiarity with the construction industry.

-        This position requires a minimum of one night per week to be filled at the school in the evenings to interact with instructors and students from September through May.  Hours while school is in session are flexible.    

-        Administrative abilities, including, but not limited to, multitasking, organization, and database management. The incumbent must be willing to routinely track training attendance, grades, certificates, and student files.

-        Passion for growing the construction industry and helping individuals pursue construction careers.

-        Presentation skills are necessary for promoting ABC apprenticeship and Craft Training. Ability to market training to ABC members via in-person presentation, email and online platforms, and phone promotion.